Best weekend getaway (in Georgia)
Natural beauty and adventure come together at Historic Banning Mills, which offers more than 5 miles of zip line. Photo: Bob Andres / bandres@ajc.com
1. Historic Banning Mills (Whitesburg)
You say, “Historic Banning Mills in Whitesburg is a great place to get away from it all. The zipline canopy tour is the best I have experienced, and we love the big wraparound porch overlooking the gorge. Simply beautiful!”
2. North Georgia Canopy Tours (Lula)
3. Dahlonega
4. Blue Ridge
5. Rabun County/Lake Burton
Lake Rabun is just one of many scenic waterways of Rabun County. Photo: Phil Skinner / pskinner@ajc.com
We say, “The unspoiled northeastern corner of Georgia is one of the state’s most gorgeous spots. The serene, picture-postcard beauty of Lake Burton, Lake Seed and Lake Rabun tops the list of reasons to visit this county at the southern tip of the Blue Ridge Mountains.”
2. Blairsville/Vogel State Park
3. Lake Oconee/Reynolds Plantation
4. Savannah
5. Helen/Sautee-Nacoochee
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731 comments Add your comment
Robert
October 20th, 2010
5:40 pm
We really enjoy the Hiawassee, GA/Hayesville NC area on the Hiawassee River. We always stay at a cabin on the river, http://www.vrbo.com/49153. It is really pretty this time of year!
Dave Miller
October 20th, 2010
5:44 pm
Unicoi State Park area near Helen Ga. Hiking, fishing, Anna Ruby falls and lots of nice rental cabins in the area, check out http://www.timberloft.com
Donna
October 20th, 2010
5:45 pm
Banning Mills!! Plan a w/e around the 5 mile long “Screaming Eagle” zip-line. Feel the exhilaration of going 60+ mph for 1/2 mile and the satisfaction of accomplishment to complete the tour that is mostly from tree top to tree top. Whitesburg, GA.
Sarah
October 20th, 2010
5:46 pm
Historic Banning Mills in Whitesburg. They have an amazing Bead and Breakfast with a friendly staff and beautiful surroundings!
Wanda McLean
October 20th, 2010
5:48 pm
I LOOOOOOVE Historic Banning Mills. The zip lines are AWESOME!!!!! Can’t wait to do it again on my 62nd birthday!
Helen
October 20th, 2010
5:48 pm
Historical Banning Mills is the set in beautiful country surroundings great cabin style accommodation as an amazing Zip line to experience as well as horse back riding or just taking a nature walk down to the river below.
Ben
October 20th, 2010
5:49 pm
I love going to places like Historic Banning Mills. It can be a full weekend or just one day, either way their ropes course and various zip-lines are a blast. Somewhat pricey but worth every penny.
Scott R.
October 20th, 2010
5:49 pm
Banning Mills SW of Atlanta. Took the family of 5 for the Extreme Zip Line Tour, what a fantastic time. We are happy that we upgraded to that tour, It was 5 hours of FUN. Have not stayed overnight but the lodge and cabins were very inviting, hopefully next time.
traci
October 20th, 2010
5:55 pm
banning mills by far!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bev
October 20th, 2010
5:57 pm
There are so many BEAUTIFUL places in the north GA mountains! From the west side to the east side, you simply can’t go wrong! Bountiful waterfalls, trails, lakes, streams, ridges, etc. to check out! Now, get out there and discover your backyard fellow Georgians, and smile while you take in God’s wonderful creation!
Gail Woody
October 20th, 2010
5:58 pm
Banning Mills in Whitesburg Georgia. North America’s highest and longest zip line tour is right here in Georgia only an hour drive from Atlanta. The lodge is beautiful and the dining is superb. For a wonderful weekend getaway on Snake Creek Gorge you cannot beat the scenery and the beauty. There are numerous nature trails as well. If you prefer a private cabin those are available as well.
Leslie P. (Houston)
October 20th, 2010
6:01 pm
Banning Mills, definitely! Where else can you take the kids for horse back riding, swimming in a poll or beautiful river, do a zip line back and forth down a river valley and get a massage too? Great facility!
Karen Wilgan
October 20th, 2010
6:05 pm
Last Fall we went to Banning Mills for a family zip-line day, and had a blast. I would highly recommend to anyone. It is especially fun when the Fall colors are out, and it is a little bit chilly.
Margery B.
October 20th, 2010
6:06 pm
Historic Banning Mills, in Whitesburg, GA Wonderful elegant accommodations on beautiful Snake Creek, only 50 miles Southwest of Atlanta. Good food, hiking, history and an opportunity to fly through the trees on one of the longest canopy tours in the world. Other things to do, too such as horseback riding and kayaking.
Clayton Ingram
October 20th, 2010
6:06 pm
Awesome place. Everyone was so friendly and we had a blast.
Gar
October 20th, 2010
6:08 pm
Camping at Lake Winfield Scott or Rock Creek Lake
Megan
October 20th, 2010
6:17 pm
Sunburst Stables
Cyndi Bridges
October 20th, 2010
6:19 pm
By far…Historic Bannings Mill in Whitesburg, Ga. My husband and I spent the weekend for our anniversary and had a blast! We were able to go at our pace, take a walk or participate in the rope course. We had dinner in our room and a couples massage!
Chris
October 20th, 2010
6:19 pm
Historic Banning Mills great weekend gateway. Cabins, Zip lines, trails, etc…
Wendell Hoomes
October 20th, 2010
6:21 pm
Historic Banning Mills in Whitesburg
This is one of the most beautiful and historic places in Georgia. Here you learn the history of Georgia’s industrial past and enjoy North America’s top zip line. The wildflowers and natural setting are great.
Amy
October 20th, 2010
6:22 pm
Banning Mills, definitely!
There are many other things to do, yes. But if you are looking for a weekend getaway, variety, adventure, fun, all at a relatively inexpensive price, it would have to be Banning Mills!
Nick A.
October 20th, 2010
6:25 pm
Historic Banning Mills and their Zip Line Tours! Great place to go for an adventure! Absolutely stunning views, and fun for the entire family! http://www.historicbanningmills.com/
carol
October 20th, 2010
6:32 pm
Historic Banning Mills has the BEST zip line adventures, friendly staff, and terrific guides.
Tori
October 20th, 2010
6:42 pm
Banning Mills in Whitesburg. Great for a weekend getaway. Awesome zip lines, wonderful accomodations, delicious meals. Beautiful facility with much to offer.
Joy Sieggreen
October 20th, 2010
6:43 pm
Banning Mills just outside of Atlanta, GA. A family friendly vacation for either a long weekend or a long vacation. So much to do: horseback ride, Canapy Tour (zipline), swim, hike, mini golf, bird watch, tour nearby towns, dine in or take to room, many accomodations to choose from. Their family is wonderful and the staff is all like a big happy family ready to assist in ANY way possible. The chef prepared meals are wonderful and you can tell prepared with care. I took my father (81 yo)who had cancer and it was one of the best vacations, they accommodated his every need and mom and I. He passed on August 4th, still remembering the wonderful time we had at Banning Mills months before. Truely pictures and memories we all will remember forever. He walked more miles than a teenager in the woods and around the river, even came to see me zipline and take pictures.
Priscilla
October 20th, 2010
6:44 pm
Enter your comments here
Priscilla
October 20th, 2010
6:45 pm
Historic Banning Mills Zip Line Tour
Nellie Duke
October 20th, 2010
6:49 pm
Historic Banning Mills is a perfect place for a retreat for individuals, organizations or corporations. You have access to anything you might need, the food is very good, the scenery and exciting activities like the canopy and zip line are incredible, all in an historic setting, one of Georgia’s first and busiest industrial complexes served by the Central of Georgia Railway (now Norfolk Southern) and electricity, before that was the norm. And, yes, the lodging and meeting accomodations are way above average!
Tom
October 20th, 2010
6:52 pm
Zip Linning at Historic Banning Mills, Whitesburg, GA
D
October 20th, 2010
6:52 pm
Toccoa has: The Pines, Travelers Rest, Toccoa Falls, is in Stephens County, close to Lake Hartwell, and is a less expensive choice to stay near White, Towns, Union and Rabun Counties–so you can visit all for daytrips.
outspoken1
October 20th, 2010
6:53 pm
Clayton Georgia….Toccoa Falls….wow sooooooooo nice
Rich
October 20th, 2010
6:54 pm
Historic Bannings Mill zipline
Julie
October 20th, 2010
6:56 pm
Visit Historic Banning Mills!!! The zip line is INCREDIBLE… the scenery BEAUTIFUL!!! Take a day or spend a few… Refreshing and revitalizing!!! AWESOME!!!!!
Matthew
October 20th, 2010
6:57 pm
Historic Banning Mills!
josh
October 20th, 2010
6:57 pm
historic banning mills has to be the best place to go in GA! i have been there for a romantic weekend getaway, with friends on a day trip, and on a weekend campout with a boyscout troop. the zip line is way cool, the historic lodge, the romantic rooms, the beautiful scenery! i just cant wait to go back!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lawrence
October 20th, 2010
7:01 pm
Banning Mills in Whitesburg, GA is my pick. If you want to get away from it all and have a nice walk and enjoy nature, this is the place. Very peaceful, quiet, nice dinner and just plain relaxing!
Gail
October 20th, 2010
7:05 pm
Historic Banning Mills gets our vote. We drove from Illinois to zipline with our family. My husband and I and 3 kids (2 teenagers and 1 preteen) had a great time. Not too often you can find activities that everyone enjoys!
Ginny
October 20th, 2010
7:10 pm
Banning Mills Retreat & Adventure Center!! Amazing. Have to do. A must on every bucket list. http://www.historicbanningmills.com
Joy Ross
October 20th, 2010
7:11 pm
Banning Mills is wonderful. They have something for everyone, from hiking, horseback riding, to ziplining. It is great. Plus the lodges.
JP
October 20th, 2010
7:11 pm
Zip lining at Banning Mills in Whitesburg, GA. AWESOME!
Kelly Stuart
October 20th, 2010
7:13 pm
Banning Mills!
Jonnie
October 20th, 2010
7:15 pm
We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Historic Banning Mills in Whitesburg, GA. My 13 year old thought the zip lines were great and he even got his Mother to do them. The area is beautiful and so was the inn.
Melanie
October 20th, 2010
7:19 pm
If you are a camper, you can’t beat Cumberland Island. Quiet, beautiful, serene and altogether unique – a place to truly get away from it all!
For a more interactive experience, Banning Mills is great. The cabins are comfy and the zip lines are the bomb! The breakfast is really good too!
Sara
October 20th, 2010
7:20 pm
Historic Banning Mills in beautiful Whitesburg Ga.Great family fun as well. You will find exciting adventure trek opportunities, cozy and comfortable lodging, history, meeting venues, Day Spa, dining options and lots of amenities as well as the unique and beautiful terrain of the Snake Creek Gorge.
Shawna
October 20th, 2010
7:21 pm
Banning Mills was beautiful and relaxing! The staff there are polite and go out of their way to ensure that you have everything you need to make your stay enjoyable and comfortable. GREAT weekend retreat!
Bobbe Jacobs Toub
October 20th, 2010
7:22 pm
Historic Banning Mills!
jennifer
October 20th, 2010
7:25 pm
some of my favorites are: zip lines at banning mills, lake hartwell, really anywhere in N. GA, jekyll island!
james
October 20th, 2010
7:29 pm
Banning Mills Whitesburg, GA
Susan
October 20th, 2010
7:31 pm
Love Historic Banning Mills.
Bonnie
October 20th, 2010
7:36 pm
Definitely Historic Banning Mills!!! This is THE place to be! You get there for the zip line tours, which are a BLAST, (definitely suggest the FULL EXTREME tour.. you will LOVE the SCREAMING EAGLE!) when you’re done with that, you get checked into one of the jacuzzi rooms, shower up, THEN… have dinner served to you IN YOUR ROOM!
the whole thing was a WONDERFUL experience and i cant wait to to back!! the zip line guides were so much fun to be around, and the office staff was more than helpful! i wish i could stay forever!!